MANILA, Philippines — National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon dared self-exiled communist leader Jose Maria Sison to file a petition for delisting after the latter was included in the Anti-Terrorism Council’s list of designated “terrorists.”
Esperon said those designated as terrorists have 15 days to file an appeal for delisting.
“Ngunit, alam mo yung mga Abu Sayyaf, hindi na magfi-file yan dahil talaga naman terorista ‘yang mga yan. Edi mag-file sila—sila Sison—mag-file sila,” Esperon said.
(Abu Sayyaf won’t file for delisting because they are really terrorists. But Sison can file.)
“May warrant of arrest nga yan. Pumunta siya dito at panagutan niya yung iba pa nyang kasalanan,” he added.
(They have warrants of arrest. They can come here and be held accountable for their wrongdoings.)
The Anti-Terrorism Council earlier tagged as terrorists 19 alleged leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines as well as 10 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits.
COMBAT-READY In this 2016 photo, New People’s Army rebels gather in Misamis Oriental province to celebrate the group’s founding anniversary. —JIGGER J. JERUSALEM
According to a resolution, the ATC found “probable cause,” as defined in the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA) that the alleged communist party leaders have violated Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the said law “for planning, preparing, facilitating, conspiring, and inciting the commission of terrorism and recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization or a group organized for the purpose of engaging in terrorism.”
The Communist Party of the Philippines said the designation list is a proof that the Anti-Terrorism Law is being used as an “oppressive weapon.”